5 10,000-Pound Items That Get Towed on a Regular Basis

Heavy-duty hauling calls for heavy-duty equipment. The most common trailer hitch is a Class III, which works fine if you're towing a 5,000-pound (2,267-kilogram) load. But if you're moving something that tips the scales at 5 tons (4.5 metric tons) or more, you have to up the towing ante. Towing such a hefty payload bumps you up from Class III to Class V equipment, capable of handling 10,000 pounds (4,535 kilograms) or more.

Generally, larger vehicles have higher GVWRs. For instance, the only vehicles on the market that could withstand Class V towing would be newer model super-duty trucks. But just because you have the keys to the truck doesn't mean you can hitch 5 tons (4.5 metric tons) to the back and tear through town. Most states require a Class A driver's license to tow loads exceeding 5 tons (4.5 metric tons). Depending on how big your haul is, you may need additional permits as well. To get an idea of how big of a load this entails, we're going to cover five commonly towed items that weigh at least 10,000 pounds (4,535 kilograms).